Rum

This liquor—usually associated with the Caribbean, where the majority of it is produced—is made from distilled fermented sugarcane juice. First the juice is extracted, then it is boiled until it becomes a thick syrup. The syrup is clarified and then separated into crystallized sugar and molasses. The molasses is mixed with water and yeast, fermented, and distilled.

Rum's flavor depends largely on how long it has been aged. Aging also helps determine the drink's color, which is used to categorize the different styles of rum.

White rum (also called light or silver rum) is colorless, with a slightly sweet flavor, dry taste, and light body. It has sometimes been aged for 6 to 12 months in uncharred oak barrels for smoothness. White rum is typically used in tropical cocktails.

Amber rum (also called gold rum) has a tawny color and a medium body, with a richer flavor and a mellower finish than white rum. It has typically been aged in charred oak barrels (previously used for aging whiskey) for about three years, and also has had a little caramel added for color and flavor. Be careful, though: Some cheap rums are not aged at all, and acquire their color through the addition of artificial coloring. Check the ingredients list and also look for a bottle labeled with how many years it has been aged. Amber rum can be used in cocktails, drunk straight, or used in cooking.

Dark rum has a dark color and a heavy, rich texture. It is full-bodied, with a deep, complex flavor. True dark rum is typically aged for five to seven years, and can be aged much longer, but many cheap dark rums actually acquire their dark color from artificial coloring and are not aged at all. Check the ingredients list and also look for a bottle labeled with how many years it has been aged. Jamaican rum is the name of dark rum from Jamaica. Dark rum can be used in cocktails, drunk straight, or used in cooking.

Añejo rum is premium, aged rum (the word añejo is Spanish for "aged"). Añejo rum can be aged for longer than ten years to achieve its smooth, full flavor. All añejo rum is dark rum, though not all dark rum is necessarily añejo. Añejo rum should be drunk neat or on the rocks.

Spiced rum (also called aromatic rum) is typically amber rum with spices such as cinnamon and cloves added.